Russian cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov expressed his condolences to the Greek people for the tragic fires in eastern Attica, during a meeting with Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura in Athens, on Monday.
Talking to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA), Shkaplerov said that he had proposed for a small park to be created in Crete where astronauts and cosmonauts who come to Greece can plant an olive tree, which is a symbol of peace.
Earlier this year, Russian cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov heaped praise on Greece as a tourism destination in a video message recorded on board the International Space Station (ISS) where he was serving as mission commander.
In his message, Shkaplerov referred to Fyodor Yurchikhin, a Russian cosmonaut of Greek descent, and the strong bonds with Greece developed by Russian cosmonauts who go there for rehabilitation due to the country's ideal climate and conditions.
“This is why I took the logo of the National Tourism Organisation into space with me and the songs of the Greek ‘Orpheus’ Giorgos Dalaras, ” he said, displaying the small blue logo pin on camera.
He also noted the recent development of tourism resorts in southern Russia and a first-ever Festival of Ancient Heritage being held in Novorossiysk and other cities with ties to ancient Greece, ending the recording with the message: “Hurrah for the friendship of Russia and Greece!”.
